I'm considering purchasing the DSM 510 to stream video but I prefer not to install any media server software on my PC.

I am looking for a solution that will allow me to setup a NAS device with all my photos, music, and videos and use the DSM 510 to play it all, however I heard the device only supports .avi files when not using the built in software. Can anyone comment on this?

Currently I have some H.264 .mp4 files that I prefer not to convert

dont buy 510. buy 520 or 750. its so worth it. 510 is a very weak device.

I agree, either buy the 720 or 750 or the Netgear EVA 8000. The Infrant NAS works well with any of these. If the Infrant isn't in your price range, many of the cheaper NAS devices have uPnP built in. Alternatively, the EVA 8000 works with most NAS devices and doesn't require uPnP.

Alan

Wow... there is a difference in price with each of those... I have seen the DLink for as little as $95 but I was trying to stay away from the 520 because I would prefer something with the small form factor like the 510 since it would be in a bedroom.

I guess all these devices are still too immature to expect alot from them without paying an arm and a leg

ggreen1, I just bought a DSM510 from CircuitCity for $84. I wanted to try it out with "return in 14 days, if doesn't work" in mind.
Following is my experience with it so far.
Works right out of the box. I hooked it up with LAN, plugged in HDMI cable. On my computer ran Tveristy (I already use TVersity with my PS3) and turn on the 510.
It saw the server by itself and was ready to play files.
I have played AVI, DIVX, MPG, OGM, VOB, MP4, MP3, JPG along with OTA recorded MPeg stream in HD (that didn't really worked well). I also tried DVR-MS file but this player just sat there and did nothing.
Another gripe is if you are using TVersity, fast forwrad and rewind doesn't work. Whenever tried it stop playing file and goes back to the menu. It not the player its TVersity. when i tried the same thing with WMP11 media sharing and NeroHome, fast forward and rewind worked.
I don't have any NAS device so can't comment on that. However its just a small device and for the money I paid I am satisfied so far. Don't expect miracles.
I am going to test a new feature on included NeroHome application where you can stream live OTA HD channels or Cable channels to your TV through DSM510. Its scanning the channels right now. I will be back to update my findings.
Hope this helps.

02/29/08 - 9.16 pm

I tested streaming live TV but it didn't work. I am still trying to figure out what is going wrong. Okay there are two different failures,

1. NeroHome couldn't scan OTA ATSC DT/HD channels. Not sure what is going wrong with this feature.
2. NeroHome scanned all digital cable channels (comcast on - Hauppauge 1600, PCI) fine. DSM 510 saw the channel list and let me browse it too. But when i tried playing any channels, after a min it gave me "unexpected error" message and switch back to menu screen.

I am still working on it. Let see if I can fix it.

ggreen1, I just bought a DSM510 from CircuitCity for $84. I wanted to try it out with "return in 14 days, if doesn't work" in mind.
Following is my experience with it so far.
Works right out of the box. I hooked it up with LAN, plugged in HDMI cable. On my computer ran Tveristy (I already use TVersity with my PS3) and turn on the 510.
It saw the server by itself and was ready to play files.
I have played AVI, DIVX, MPG, OGM, VOB, MP4, MP3, JPG along with OTA recorded MPeg stream in HD (that didn't really worked well). I also tried DVR-MS file but this player just sat there and did nothing.
Another gripe is if you are using TVersity, fast forwrad and rewind doesn't work. Whenever tried it stop playing file and goes back to the menu. It not the player its TVersity. when i tried the same thing with WMP11 media sharing and NeroHome, fast forward and rewind worked.
I don't have any NAS device so can't comment on that. However its just a small device and for the money I paid I am satisfied so far. Don't expect miracles.
I am going to test a new feature on included NeroHome application where you can stream live OTA HD channels or Cable channels to your TV through DSM510. Its scanning the channels right now. I will be back to update my findings.
Hope this helps.

I also got the CC clearance 510 for $85 including tax. It works as advertised. No issues in setup. I have used Twonky, TVersity, Orb and WMP II. Of the 4, I prefer the WMP for reliability and speed. I use Tversity for listining to radio stations of which there are many. Have since taken Orb and Twonky off my computer.

The person who indicated the 510 is a weak device is off base as far as I am concerned. If something does what it is speced to do, I would hardly call it a weak device. Just because it will not play every format under the sun is not a weakness.

It plays my videos, photos and music just swell.

enaybee,

Have you been able to stream the HD channels using the device?

If so what do you think about how it works?

I use the DSM-510 with TVersity transcoding media from my NAS. So far it seems to be working pretty well. The DMS-510 is attached to a TV in my bedroom so the small form-factor is perfect... though the blue LED can be a little bright at night.

My NAS isn't set up as a UPnP device so I can't comment. But the 510 worked out of the box with my TVersity, which was also fairly easy to get up and running. I also use my XBOX360 to watch movies through my TVersity and didn't have to change a thing to get things working with my DSM510.

XBMC for the XBOX is the only device I've seen which can access my NAS natively.

If you can find the DSM-510 cheap, go for it.

ggreen1, no luck on HD OTA TV so far. I guess NeroHome doesn't really support this feature. I tried this with Hauppauge 1600 (PCI) and Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro stick. Didn't work on either.
However, I tried my digital cable with NeroHome with transcoding for video set to "mpeg2" [high, low or medium bitrate] and it works. I mean it works awesome. On the TV you see all channels scanned and numbered in a list individually and then you have to select the channels by number. Select any and it will start playing as soon as its done buffering (3 to 5 sec max on my PC, may be slower or faster depending on your PC configuration.
HOpe this helps.

Thanks for the follow up

However I purchased Popcorn Hour instead. I just received it two day ago and it plays everything in my video collection so far. Including .iso's, mkv, mp4, etc

-snip It works as advertised. No issues in setup. I have used Twonky, TVersity, Orb and WMP II. Of the 4, I prefer the WMP for reliability and speed. I use Tversity for listining to radio stations of which there are many. Have since taken Orb and Twonky off my computer.

It plays my videos, photos and music just swell. -snip

My old Sony CD jukebox is kaput and all I need is to use something to consolidate all my CDs' in WMA format loaded on a USB hard drive. I will connect it using optical cable to my AVR. Does it work good for the purpose?

Actually anyone who has tried it, please answer.